Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Under the leadership of President Christopher M. Fiorentino, West Chester University (West Chester) is seeking nominations and applications for the inaugural position of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) who will have the opportunity to lead the university’s efforts to advance its work on diversity, inclusion and infusion. A member of the President’s Cabinet, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer will serve as the catalyst and convener to oversee and coordinate campus-wide efforts to enhance, cultivate and support a more inclusive educational community and workplace environment. The successful candidate will be charged with creating a shared vision and fostering inclusion as an active and visible campus and community presence - serving as an advisor, leader and champion.

Founded in 1871 as an institute for teacher preparation, West Chester is a comprehensive public institution, offering more than 118 undergraduate and 103 graduate programs in more than 50 fields of study. Additional information about West Chester University is available at www.wcupa.edu.

As the institution’s 15th president and during his interim presidency, Dr. Fiorentino has charged the university with strengthening its commitment to diversity and inclusion. While West Chester University has a strong track record of accomplishments in promoting diversity and inclusivity, President Fiorentino is seeking to become a model of excellence in creating ways to acknowledge and infuse difference while enhancing and expanding cultural competency.

Members of the West Chester community - from students, to staff, faculty, academic and non-academic departments - engaged fully in a process to develop a new University Mission Statement over the last academic year. In May 2017, the trustees and community adopted the revised mission statement: West Chester University is a community of educators that develops graduates to succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good. West Chester holds true to this mission and accompanying goals of inclusion in seeking an individual to serve as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer to ensure that the university is a school of choice for faculty, staff and students from all backgrounds.

Within West Chester, many organizations have been driving to inclusive excellence, and the CDIO will work with already formed organizations to coordinate those efforts. Furthermore, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer will be an integrating partner with campus leaders, students, faculty, staff, various university committees and external constituencies to proactively develop and implement plans, programs, and activities that demonstrate accountability for diversity and inclusion as core values to be practiced at the university.

The University seeks candidates whose education and leadership experience enable them to: promote and champion a culture of diversity and inclusive excellence; create, develop, design, implement and sustain policies in support of programs to diversify faculty, students and staff; and work in tandem with existing organizations to advance these goals. The successful candidate will possess most or all of the following experience: developing, implementing and measuring strategic plans for diversity and inclusion; facilitating constructive and effective collaboration between individuals, groups and offices; serving with vision, collaboration, and partnership while motivating and galvanizing leaders from various institutional and community sectors around diversity and inclusion goals.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by October 27, 2017. Candidates should provide a resume or curriculum vitae, along with a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the Leadership Statement available at www.wittkieffer.com, and the names and contact information of five references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. These materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s consultants Charlene Aguilar and Khalilah Lawson at WestChesterCDIO@wittkieffer.com. The consultants can be reached by telephone via Candice Jones at 630-575-6929.